During the summer, you want to set your air conditioner to the perfect temperature. Leaving the temperature too high can cause your family to be uncomfortable, while setting it too low can lead to high energy bills.
At Edwards Royal Comfort, we know that it can be frustrating to constantly search for the best temperature for your home during the summer. Read more below to learn more about what temperature you should set your air conditioner to during the hot summer months.
What Is the Ideal Indoor Temperature for Summer?
As a general rule of thumb, you should set your air conditioner as high as your family’s comfort will allow. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends that homeowners set their thermostats to 78°F while they’re home, and then bump it up a few degrees when they’re not home. This can provide significant savings over the course of the year.
However, if your comfort levels don’t allow you to set the AC temperature that high, feel free to bump the temperature down a few degrees. After all, the comfort and safety of your home and family should be your top priority.
How to Save Money on Air Conditioning Bills
Cover Windows
Sunlight can enter through the windows of your home and release heat, causing the temperature of your home to rise. As higher temperatures are introduced, your air conditioner will be forced to run more frequently and for longer durations of time in order to keep your home nice and cool.
Covering your windows with curtains or solar screens is a great way to keep additional summer heat from entering your home.
Schedule AC Maintenance
Air conditioners run at peak efficiency after having maintenance performed. During maintenance, your HVAC technician will check refrigerant levels, monitor your electrical connections, and inspect for signs of wear, among other things.
After maintenance is performed, your AC unit should be running more efficiently. Not only will this allow your cooling system to be more effective, but it will also save you money on your cooling costs.
Use Your Thermostat Properly
Are there times when nobody is in your home, but your thermostat is set to the same low temperature as when your family is home? If so, you’re likely wasting money and forcing your air conditioner to work harder than it needs to be.
Instead of keeping the air conditioner temperature the same, raise the thermostat setting a few degrees when nobody is home. Your air conditioner won’t need to run as often or as long.
If you have a smart or programmable thermostat, you can even set the thermostat to turn back to a lower temperature just before you arrive back home to ensure that your home is nice and cool for your arrival.
Use Ceiling Fans
Running ceiling fans counterclockwise in rooms you’re using is a great way to make rooms feel cooler without turning the temperature down. Just be sure to turn the fan off when you leave a room so you don’t increase energy costs.
Contact Edwards Royal Comfort for Air Conditioning Services
The team at Edwards Royal Comfort offers air conditioning repair, installation, and maintenance services throughout Greencastle, Danville, and Crawfordsville, Indiana. Contact us today to learn more about how our services can help you, or to schedule an appointment for service.